Attitude Reflects Faith

But God said to Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?" "I do," he said. "I am angry enough to die." But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

Jonah 4:9-11

It seems to me that Jonah was very emotional and was very moody at this time. He was definitely battling some demons within because he was so dejected. Anything that came up, he just wanted to give up and die already. What was the source of Jonah's frustration? Was it the LORD's compassion for saving the Ninevites or even the temporary shade the LORD provided Jonah? No, he was near-sighted and paid too much attention to the detail, the temporary insignificant things, instead of the bigger picture and trusting God to take us through rough waters. Near-sightedness produces a negative attitude that will eventually lead to arguing with God, limiting our faith. Our attitude reveals how much we trust God with the little things.

As I struggle with some important decisions this quiet season, I can see a correlation between my attitude and how much faith I have. My recent poor attitude resulted because I p aid too much attention to lies and deception. I trusted less in God's covering and more of my own flesh. I listened to the evil within my flesh and looked at me, me me; instead of keeping the "Ninevites" in sight. I realize we all have our moments where we need to vent and release all that negativity but it's important how we do it. We need to choose our lightning rods wisely. After the storm has passed we need to make sure that nothing was damaged along the way and pick up ourselves and move on.

LORD, forgive me again of my poor attitude and selfishness. It's a direct result of taking m eyes of my purpose and allowing myself to be distracted by so many things. Help Your servant to pick himself up, dust off the junk and continue on. I pray to be used in any way to encourage and build the body of Christ. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen!